Women who are either indisputably beautiful, or indisputably ugly, are best flattered upon the score of their understandings; but those who are in a state of mediocrity are best flattered upon their beauty, or at least their graces; for every woman who is not absolutely ugly thinks herself handsome.

Never write down your speeches beforehand; if you do, you may perhaps be a good declaimer, but will never be a debater.

Let your enemies be disarmed by the gentleness of your manner, but let them feel at the same time the steadiness of your just resentment for there is a great difference between bearing malice, which is always ungenerous, and a resolute self-defense which is ever prudent and justifiable.

Nothing convinces persons of a weak understanding so effectually, as what they do not comprehend.

Everything is worth seeing once, and the more one sees the less one either wonders or admires.

I recommend to you to take care of the minutes; for hours will take care of themselves. I am very sure, that many people lose two or three hours every day, by not taking care of the minutes.

Without some dissimulation no business can be carried on at all.